Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, creative directors at Loewe, discuss their first year in Paris, debut menswear collection, and the Loewe Craft Prize on Vogue's podcast The Run-Through.
Adjusting to Paris
One year after relocating to Paris, McCollough and Hernandez are still adapting to life in the city. McCollough notes their challenges with the language, humorously admitting, “I’d hardly call us Parisians. We’ve got a lot of work to do with our French.”
American Influence at Loewe
Their first two collections at Loewe blend American sportswear elements like T-shirts, jeans, and bomber jackets with high craft, particularly in leather. “Taking those codes of American sportswear and then putting them through the filter of high craft,” Hernandez explains. The duo aims to merge their American perspective with Loewe’s craftsmanship, emphasizing vibrant colors, fabric innovations, and sleek designs.
Having made their mark with Proenza Schouler in New York, known for its casual yet elevated style, the transition to Paris was notable. Despite the change, Hernandez highlights the importance of celebrating their roots, “We love the idea of not being shy of our roots.”
First Menswear Collection
Their upcoming menswear collection is a first for the pair and feels more personal. “It’s a bit more personal,” Hernandez states. Designing for menswear allows them to project and fantasize less compared to womenswear, as they design for themselves.
Loewe Craft Prize
McCollough and Hernandez also discuss the Loewe Craft Prize, now in its ninth edition. This initiative, run through Loewe’s nonprofit arm, aims to elevate craftspeople from various disciplines. McCollough appreciates the essence of craft, stating, “What’s so beautiful about craft is that it really teaches you to slow down. It’s really the art of slowing down.”
Hernandez adds, “It’s just so nice to be working at a company that celebrates this kind of thing. I think it’s quite rare these days. So it’s been very fulfilling.”
Source: https://www.vogue.com/article/podcast-loewe-jack-mccollough-lazaro-hernandez
